Nixon visits DHS; applauds A+ Program

Students at Dexter High School, who through a four-year commitment have achieved the state's A+ Schools designation, were personally recognized for their efforts by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon during a visit by the governor to the high school campus Tuesday.

Making the governor's introduction, Dexter Schools Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp told the audience, "Governor Nixon's tireless efforts on behalf of the A+ program have made education attainable for all Missouri students who commit themselves to study hard, faithfully attend school, and model acceptable citizenship standards."

"His leadership in first establishing the A+ program and his Missouri determination to make sure necessary funding exists have made the difference in the educational lives of thousands of students such as yourselves," Sharp told the high school students, "in having the opportunity to attain post-secondary education."

Calling Nixon a "champion of education and public service," Sharp then introduced the governor, who was greeted with a standing ovation from the students and dignitaries on hand for the visit.

Nixon spoke to Dexter's 550 students gathered at the BEC following a tour of the high school and a special one-on-one meeting with select students who are working to achieve A+ status at DHS.

Accompanied by the state's First Lady, Georganne Nixon, the governor further encouraged the students to take advantage of the A+ program, which grants those who qualify free tuition to cover two years of college education at Missouri's community colleges.

A number of criteria over the course of a student's high school career must be met in order for them to benefit from the A+ program.

Criteria include achieving an overall GPA of 2.5 or better over the course of their high school career, maintaining at least a 95 percent attendance rate, completing 50 hours of district-supervised, unpaid tutoring or mentoring, enrollment for three consecutive years in the A+ program, and maintaining a record of good citizenship free of alcohol and drug use.

The 2012 graduating class is the second DHS graduating class to partricipate in the A+ program. The program was implemented in the local district as the graduating class of 2011 entered their freshmen year. Veteran high school instructor Ann Polsgrove serves as the A+ program coordinator for the district, overseeing and tracking student progress throughout a student's four-year education at DHS.

"Since 1997," Nixon told Tuesday's audience, "almost 125,000 high-achieving Missouri students have qualified for A+ scholarships, and more than 50,000 have taken advantage of those financial incentives for at least one semester."

In total, Nixon said, Missouri students have received more than $250 million in A+ scholarships. Currently, more than 360 Missouri high schools participate in the program. Approximately 14,000 students are expected to be A+ scholars next year, he added.

Despite current budget woes, Nixon said he has ensured that continued state funding is available to provide A+ scholarship funding for the record number of students participating in the program.

"The A+ program continues to help provide a college education for those young people who are willing to work hard, play by the rules, and give back through volunteering," he said Tuesday.

While touring the high school prior to his speech at the Bearcat Event Center, Nixon also witnessed students taking part in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, an eight-state earthquake drill marking the 200th anniversary of the largest earthquake in state history, the Great New Madrid earthquake that occurred on Feb. 7, 1812.

Following his speech at the BEC, Nixon proceeded to Dexter's Faurecia plant to meet with company heads. That meeting was not open to the media.